2025 Fantasy Football Rankings & Week 3 Insights: QBs, RBs, WRs, and More
Get ready for Week 3 of your fantasy football season with expert insights on quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. This guide, drawing on key data and predictive stats, helps you navigate waiver wire decisions and optimize your starting lineup. Justin Boone, renowned fantasy football analyst, provides his top defense rankings for Week 3, offering an edge to Yahoo Fantasy players.
Justin Boone's Week 3 Defense Rankings
Justin Boone, a highly accurate fantasy football expert with multiple top-10 finishes, has released his Week 3 defensive rankings. Be sure to check the Yahoo Fantasy website for updated rankings across all positions, including PPR formats, which are released every Thursday and finalized Sunday morning.
Week 3 Fantasy Football Insights: Key Positional Breakdowns
Week 2 delivered some surprises, highlighting the importance of staying ahead of trends. With each week, the data becomes clearer, allowing for more informed decisions. This report analyzes key metrics – touches, air yards, and team target percentage – to help you identify players poised for success. All stats are via TruMedia unless otherwise stated. Waiver wire additions and streamers are players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues. FAAB recommendations are based on Sleeper FLEX leagues.
Quarterbacks: Streaming Options and Notable Performances
Jared Goff, after a stellar Week 2 performance, is firmly back on fantasy radars. Daniel Jones is also a potential waiver wire target. Russell Wilson finished as QB2, while Drake Maye also showed promise. Streaming quarterbacks could be a viable strategy this season.
Green Flags: QBs to Watch
- Daniel Jones (IND): Currently available in many leagues, Jones boasts impressive stats, including a high yards per attempt (YPA) and Expected Points Added Per Dropback (EPA/DB).
- Drake Maye (NE): Increased his designed rush rate and YPA in Week 2, making him a potential solid play against the Steelers.
- Jared Goff (DET): Led all quarterbacks in fantasy points, EPA/DB, and YPA in Week 2.
Red Flags: QBs to Approach With Caution
- Jalen Hurts (PHI): Ranks last in the league in attempts of 15 or more yards downfield, impacting his overall fantasy production.
- Sam Darnold (SEA): Struggling in expected points added per dropback, potentially leading to a change at quarterback for the Vikings.
Streaming Quarterbacks for Week 3
- Mac Jones (SF): A solid streaming option if Brock Purdy remains out.
- Michael Penix (ATL): A potential streamer against favorable matchups, given his positive EPA/DB.
- Trevor Lawrence (JAX): Remains a better fantasy QB than a real-life one, with a positive EPA/DB mark.
Running Backs: Emerging Trends and Usage Insights
Some running back situations are becoming clearer. Javonte Williams appears to have full command of the Cowboys' backfield. In Seattle, the division of touches between Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker remains a key question. The injury to Austin Ekeler opens up opportunities for Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Green Flags: RBs on the Rise
- Chuba Hubbard (CAR): Showing improved receiving ability, with a high yards per catch average.
- Kenneth Walker (SEA): Rebounded strongly in Week 2 with a high Expected Points Added Per Rush (EPA/Rush).
- Chase Brown (CIN): Handling a significant percentage of Cincy's backfield touches.
- Derrick Henry (BAL): Consistently performing well in yards before contact and yards after contact.
- Jonathan Taylor (IND): Leads the league in carries and impresses with a low stuff percentage.
Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Targets and Notable Performances
Marvin Mims' role is diminishing, while Troy Franklin and Wan'Dale Robinson are solid waiver wire additions. In deep leagues, consider Tyquan Thornton as a boom-or-bust option.
Green Flags: WRs to Consider
- Troy Franklin (DEN): Saw a high team target rate and excelled in Week 2.
- Wan'Dale Robinson (NYG): Demonstrating high yards per route run and consistent receiving production.
- Tyquan Thornton (KC): Seeing significant action and making explosive plays.
Red Flags: WRs to Be Cautious Of
- Jaguars receivers (Brian Thomas and Travis Hunter): Showing negative EPA Per Target rates.
- DK Metcalf (PIT): Experiencing a significantly lower average depth of target.
Tight Ends: Emerging Options and Established Performers
Juwan Johnson continues to perform well, while Tyler Warren looks promising in Indy. Kyle Pitts is providing consistent production. However, Evan Engram and T.J. Hockenson are underperforming.
Green Flags: TEs to Target
- Juwan Johnson (NO): Seeing a high volume of targets and routes.
- Harold Fannin (CLE): Impressing with routes and targets despite David Njoku's presence.
- Tyler Warren (IND): Securing a significant percentage of team targets.
- Kyle Pitts (ATL): Being used in versatile ways, lining up wide.
Red Flags: TEs to Potentially Avoid
- T.J. Hockenson (MIN): Showing a negative EPA/Target rate.
- Evan Engram (DEN): Lacking a sufficient target share.
Other Streaming Tight Ends (Ranked)
- Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR
- Jonnu Smith, PIT
- Brenton Strange, JAX
(Photo of Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)